ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli a fantastic leader who doesn’t shy away from responsibility, says Srikkanth

ICC World Cup 2019: Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was also a chairman of selectors for the 2011 World Cup winning squad, said all great Indian cricketers is defined by one characteristic trait.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth is perhaps one of the very few Indians who can claim to have won two ICC World Cup titles. He was the opening batsman of the team that won the world title in 1983. When it came to 2011, Srikkanth was BCCI’s chairman of selectors, part of the bunch which selected the sqaud which went on to left the trophy 28 years later.

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 06: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli of India during the 2nd Vitality International T20 match between England and India at SWALEC Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)(Getty Images)

Srikkanth was a key member of 1983 squad and was also India’s highest scorer in the low scoring final against the rampaging West Indies team, who were looking to win the World Cup for the third straight time. Talking about India’s chances in the 2019 tournament, Srikkanth said that Kohli’s aggression complemented by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s calm will again bring back the World Cup.

“We have a fantastic leader in Virat Kohli, who leads by example. A good thing about him is he takes up responsibility. So King Kohli will do it (again) along with the cool cucumber Dhoni,” Srikkanth said during an interaction

Srikkanth seemed pretty happy with the composition of the 15-member squad for the World cup, which he believes has all the ingredients to emerge victors.

“It’s a superb combination of exuberance, passion, calmness together. The Indian team should not put any pressure on itself and play with a sense of self-belief.”

Srikkanth, who was also a chairman of selectors for the 2011 World Cup winning squad said all great Indian cricketers is defined by one characteristic trait.

“If you talk about self-belief, one thinks of Kapil Dev, for passion, it is Sachin Tendulkar, talk about exuberance and aggression, think of Virat Kohli and talk about calmness and determination, one thinks of M S Dhoni.”

The former Indian captain was present at an event arranged by ICC Cricket for Good in collaboration with UNICEF called #OneDay4Children.

The initiative will use the influence and reach of the cricket World Cup to help children learn, play and be healthy. The money raised will support UNICEF’s work for children in cricket playing nations across the world.

Cricket is a great unifying factor and it gives you a lot of lessons. You develop your personality, life skills, learn about stress management, leadership, communication and team work,” said Srikkanth.

“Sports itself is an education. You can’t be just a bookworm nowadays. Children have to play sports and be healthy. Sports is an important part of school curricula because if you want to shine in life as a human being, you need to be good in sports. Cricket teaches you all these things,” he added.

“Our most ambitious charity project to date and we know that cricket’s one billion fans will come together to help build a better world for every child,” ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson, said in a statement.

(With PTI inputs)